The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born into a world of hate, parted a sea of intolerance, gave birth to a dream, but had his life taken. And thus, “A time for equality is here to stay,” said 12th-grader Corey Millos of Holy Name School.

Corey's 29-line poem, “A Visionary,” was one of 24 winners in Grades 7-12, from about 320 entrants — the largest field to date — at the 19th annual youth breakfast Saturday commemorating the life of Rev. King.

Hosted by Worcester State University, student awards and performances during the breakfast celebrated the life of the slain Baptist minister who assumed leadership of the civil rights movement in the mid-1950s until his death in Memphis, Tenn., in 1968.

The event is considered by many to be one of the area's premiere community events for and by youth, Provost Charles Cullum said.

Held at Temple Emanuel, across from the university campus, it has grown from 200 attendees in its infancy, to more than 500 on Saturday, said master of ceremonies Kevin Karanja, a graduate of WSU who teaches chemistry at South High Community School.

Mr. Cullum said the day was about commemorating the birthday and life of America's greatest civil rights leader, and celebrating the youth who exemplified his principles through their work and service.

Dorothy Hargrove, who chaired the poetry contest, said there were six judges. She said she was impressed that some students emailed entries directly to her, as opposed to being sanctioned by a school.

“These were wonderful, significant poems with lots of deep thought in them,” she said.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty, who said Rev. King's words were timeless, gave keys to the city to Jesse Leidel, who won the MLK Youth Service Award for his work as an adviser at Dynamy Youth Academy, and Caleb S. Encarnacion-Rivera, a youth activist.

Caleb, a junior at University Park Campus, and the son of City Councilor Sarai Rivera and the Rev. Jose Encarnacion, is cofounder and president of an advisory council in District 4. He canvassed for the Initiative for Engaged Citizenship, which works toward improving voter turnout, delivered food to newly arrived refugee families, and was a missionary to the Dominican Republic, helping families in poverty-stricken villages.

He has also taken classes at Clark University since 10th grade, and his 4.46 weighted grade-point average ranks sixth in his class, of which he is president.

Mr. Petty said he met Caleb about three years ago, during a neighborhood walk for the governor's campaign. Because of his maturity, the mayor said he thought the youngster may have been a senior in high school or early college student.

Mr. Petty also thanked Mr. Leidel for making the city better with his work at Dynamy Youth Academy, a college access and leadership program for underserved youth in Worcester public schools.

Students regard Mr. Leidel as a mentor who will do anything for them, whether helping a shy freshman feel more confident, editing endless college essays for seniors, or nominating students for every opportunity and possible leadership scholarship available, said Etel Capacchione, youth academy director at Dynamy, which was founded in 1989.

Mr. Cullum presented WSU students James Hickson, a criminal justice major, and Daniel Gyamfi, a psychology major, with Worcester State University President's Scholarships.

In his winning essay, Mr. Hickson, a senior criminal justice major whose primary interest is working with youth, particularly in foster care, emphasized Rev. King's dream of uniting all people. The student said he believes his duty is to live his life for others.

Mr. Gyamfi, a sophomore who is active in his community through church and its outreach to the needy, emphasized Rev. King's importance as a spiritual leader, whom he said he tries to emulate by showing love, respect and tolerance to all persons in his daily life.